ATI Sponge Filter, History

About ATI Sponge Filters

Aquarium Technology, Inc. was founded in 1991 by Joseph C. Gargiulo.
He, in 1991 lived in Atlanta, Georgia, were he still currently resides today.
At the time the company making the Hydro Sponge Filter was run and operated by Springfield Tool and Tie (known by most as Lustar) in Springfield, New Jersey.

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From the time period of 1991 through 2005 ATI has sales numbers that were about the same every year. However, in late 2005 Lustar made an announcement that they were closing their doors, so Aquarium Technology, Inc had to figure out something to do as the Lustar Sponge Filter was a major product line for ATI.
There were two options. One of which being closing the company and the owner, Joseph Gargiulo, thought about closing the company as his time and efforts were already in so many other things. The other option was moving the company to Atlanta.
After 2-3 months of business conversations with Lustar and pondering the idea of having the company closer to him, Joseph made the decision of moving the company to Atlanta.

In March of 2006 Aquarium Technology, Inc had begun its move south. It took over 2 ½ months to move the entire company. By late May 2006, ATI had reopened its doors for business in Atlanta.

After opening its doors in Atlanta, Aquarium Technology Inc, had slowly begun to grow; taking in more orders, getting a patent (5203990) for original Lustar Hydro-Sponge filter, and supplying these Sponge Filters to more distributors along with other products.
By the end of May 2007 the company had seen a near 6% increase in just that one year.

Over the years, AAP (American Aquarium Products) has become the main/prime distributor for the Hydro Sponge Filter (& the only seller with the full line of popular ATI/AAP Hydro Sponge Filters & pre-filters, including combos).

Hopefully over near future ATI will plan to release new product lines, update customers more, and become well known throughout the aquatic filtration market.

FURTHER READING:
*Aquarium Information | Fish & Pond Help | Advice | Research
*Aquarium Answers

Sponge Filter Pictures

Sponge Filter (Filtration) Pictures & Diagrams for Aquariums

*This post shows several different how-to aquarium (& pond) sponge filter applications via diagrams/pictures.

*This also includes Sponge Pre-filter applications as well.

Sponge Filter Diagrams

The first picture shows how the concept of an aquarium sponge filter connected to an air pump functions/works.













This second picture shows the basic flow pattern with different lift tube heights or pump configurations.



These next two pictures/diagrams show basic Sponge Filter set up methods.
First is an air pump set up and the second is how to convert a AAP Power Head (or similar) to connect with a Sponge Filter





This diagram/picture shows the many ways an AAP Filter Max can attach to a filter such as the AAP Tidal Premium HOB Filters




This picture shows a Filter Max Aquarium Prefilter connected to a AAP HJ-1542 Water Pump (a Filter Max #3 is recommended, although the #2 can work as well).
This application works well for using your Pump to other filters such a converted pond filter.




Please see this article for MUCH more Sponge Filtration Information:
*Sponge filtration; How sponge filters work and the benefits of using sponge filters in aquariums and ponds

For sites to purchase Premium Hydro Sponge Products:
*AAP/ATI Hydro Sponge Filters

*AAP/ATI Filter Max Prefilters

*ATI Hydro Pond/Sump Filters

Inexpensive Pond Filtration

Inexpensive Biological and Mechanical Pond Filtration

QUESTION (from a client’s email):

What is a good source for additional bio-filtration for my pond?
I have a waterfall filter, and a veggie stream.
I still think my pond can be clearer and there is a lot of sediment floating in the pond.

ANSWER:


A Hydro-pond filter is an excellent source of bio-filtration for a small pond (under 500 gallons). It works a pre-filter for any pump intake and even as a stand alone filter.

Sponge filtration is one of the most under rated forms of filtration for ponds and aquariums alike. When used and properly cared for, a sponge filter colonizes aerobic bacteria for ammonia and nitrite removal, and they make excellent mechanical filters, trapping a lot of floating debris.

Care is simple; just remove the sponge and squeeze into used pond water to remove the waste. This retains the beneficial bacteria, while removing organic and other waste from clogging the pond or even before going thru the nitrogen cycle.


Some of the attributes of sponge filtration for ponds are:

• Maintains the biological filtration when main filter is changed or cleaned.

• Prevents debris such as dead fish and plant material from clogging the intake by distributing the suction evenly down the length of the sponge.

• Prevents small or baby fish from being suctioned into the main filter or water pump.

• Can be used as a temporary or permanent filter in ponds.

• Traps larger waste particles, mechanically cleaning the water.

• Can be used in vertical or horizontal position.

• Easy to clean. Just rinse and squeeze.

A simple application would be a Hydro pond filter attached to a AAP HQB-3500 Pump (792 gph) or AAP HJ-1542 pump (370 gph), then additionally run to a UV sterilizer (optional), then back to the pond via a waterfall or other water feature. This is a simple and cost effective way to set up a pond filtration system.
When combined with a veggie filter (water iris or other bog plants with a small current of water passing through the plant roots), you will have an excellent filter system for under $150 that can maintain a pond up to 1000 gallons (although the Hydro Pond Filters are rated this high, have found 500 gallons the upper limit I feel comfortable recommending these for).

For further Pond information, please read this VERY complete article about pond care: “A Clear Pond; Pond Information”


For further information about Aquarium Sponge Filtration, please read this article: “Sponge filtration; How sponge filters work and the benefits of using sponge filters in aquariums and ponds”

Sponge filters for Fresh, Saltwater, & Ponds

SPONGE FILTERS

From "Sponge Filtration"
The use of Sponge Filters in aquariums and ponds is often overlooked by newer aquarium/pond keepers.
What many see as an overly simple filter, is in fact a near "perfect" design in its simplicity.

I have used them for my aquarium maintenance for 30 plus years with excellent results, including: Main Filter, secondary filter, pre-filter, hospital filter, and bowl or small tank filter (Sponge filters really excel here for bettas in that they are efficient bio and mechanical filters without the risk of fin damage to bettas).

Here then is a list of their basic attributes:

[1] Simple to use, most run on very basic air pumps or powerheads. One of the best beginner aquarist filters due simplicity and cost. But sponge filters are also popular with breeders and research facilities, as they are very efficient yet simple filters.

[2] Excellent biological filtration, they are very porous and can maintain very large aerobic bacterial colonies in proportion to the space they occupy.

[3] Mechanical filtration, although they are not the best mechanical filters, they still do a good job for their small size and make excellent secondary or primary filters when used in combination with other filters such as HOB, canister, or internal filters.

[4] Very few “dead” areas trapping pockets of noxious bacteria, unlike under gravel filters and even wet/dry filters (which in my experience are over rated).

[5] Simple to clean, simply remove the sponge and squeeze or rinse in old aquarium water or de-chlorinated tap water. The advantage here is the aquarist is less likely to ignore cleaning the filter (unlike many complex filters), which can lead to organic build up, increasing nitrates and lowering KH and ph.

[6] Sponge filters are great in marine aquariums in a couple of different ways; one way is in a sump (sometimes sideways) with a small power head pump (such as a Via Aqua 480); the other (usually in a reef application) was inside the aquarium with either an air pump or power head. The beauty of either application is they are simple to rinse out with used aquarium water, which in the reef application was especially useful in that I could dispose of allot of debris before it cycled and produced Nitrates. They are an excellent compliment to “live rock” filtered reef aquariums.

[7] Probably the best choice of filtration for breeding tanks, hospital tanks, and even discus aquariums, due to the fact that they do not “suck” in baby or weak fish or attract noxious bacteria.

[8] For cichlid breeding they excel, as they are not easily disturbed by cichlids tendency to dig.

[9] Inexpensive

[10] Now available in larger sizes for aquariums over 60 gallons.

[11] Sponge filters can even be used in ponds. With the "Hydro Pond Filter", simply attach a power head pump (such as a Via Aqua 2600), then run your return line wherever you like (waterfall, etc.). Or the Hydro Pond II can be run off a simple air pump. These filters can work on ponds up to 1500 gallons (or more with additional units).
These Hydro Pond filters also work VERY well in large aquariums especially as a pre-filter (#4) for pump in an aquarium sump for wet/dry or Berlin Method Marine filtration.

[12] There also are sponge filters that are used as a "Pre-Filter" for intakes of canister, wet/dry, power filters and more. They offer increased bio-filtration to your existing system, as well as protection from baby fish, plants, or anemones from being sucked into the intake of your existing filter.
These pre-filter sponges are especially useful for HOB (power filters) as they increase the bio capacity (far more than bio wheels in experiments I have done) and retain the aerobic bio filtering bacteria during filter media changes. With out these Sponge pre-filters, HOB filters are poor to fair bio filters, with them they are excellent.

[13] Sponge filters are great for planted aquariums, they do not interfere with root structures and maintain a biological balance that ideal for planted aquariums.

[14] EXCELLENT for use in marine aquariums, especially when the Berlin Filter method is applied. I have used these as a pre-filter for the return pump for a Mud filter, in a sump, or as just an additional bio/mechanical filter inside a Nano Reef. The advantage of these in marine applications is they trap debris and organic mulm which is VERY easily rinsed out unlike a more difficult canister filter or even bio balls, thus reducing the “nitrate factory” aspects of many other mechanical/bio filters in marine aquaria.

[15] Sponge filters or internal filters with sponges are very efficient for powering UV Sterilizers and Fluidized Bed filters (an under rated but excellent filter on its own).



Here are a few myths about Sponge filters:

* Bio Wheels and Wet Dry filters are superior to sponge filters.- MYTH
In theory the added oxygen or bio wheels and wet dry filters is great, but in practicality the channeling of wet dry filters and the deposit build up of Bio Wheels lowers bacteria surface area, while the fact remains that with the proper dissolved oxygen levels your fish should have is more than adequate for a healthy sponge filter to maintain proper bio colonies. Compare a Wet Dry filter to a tank with live rock and other means of mechanical filtration, and you will find the live rock superior even though it is under water.

* All sponge filters are the same and only for small aquariums. –MYTH
The flow design, sponge media material, and sponge size all are important. A large sponge filter with sponge media of a high and proper sized pore count is and extremely efficient filter. Compare the sponge design of the patented Hydro Sponge to a cheaper Lees or Tetra sponge and it is obvious, as these cheaper sponges clog faster and do not have the pore density of Hydro Sponge filters.


FOR EVEN MORE INFORMATION ABOUT SPONGE FILTRATION, please visit this site:

AQUARIUM SPONGE FILTRATION AND HOW IT WORKS


OTHER INTERESTING LINKS



Aquarium Sponge Filters A GREAT PLACE FOR QUALITY ATI HYDRO SPONGE FILTERS, Prices starting at $5.99!

The importance of aquarium water qualityBasic information about freshwater or marine water quality maintenance.